As the mom of a (now former) teen dd who liked the temp hair dyes...manic panic and splat can stain fiberglass tubs. Ask me how I know! (it does eventually wear off).

I started dyeing hair outside, or in the stainless steel kitchen sink in winter.

I bleached my daughters tips and applied manic panic dye. Super easy and cost about $40 with all the supplies I needed.

I bleached my DDs hair with the warning that if it all goes wrong that they would need to cut their hair short. So far it is ok but I can see needing to get to get a short cut in the not too distant future.

Anonymous wrote:Do not use bleach. Follow the suggestions of some of these other posters. I’m sitting at a salon right now getting my child’s color job corrected. This is a very expensive lesson that my child is learning. It is simply not worth it. I, in fact, would suggest that you get it done at a salon where they know what they’re doing.

I agree. The only reason I'd color my own kids hair is I've been dying my own for 25 years and know what I'm doing.

Do not use bleach. Follow the suggestions of some of these other posters. I’m sitting at a salon right now getting my child’s color job corrected. This is a very expensive lesson that my child is learning. It is simply not worth it. I, in fact, would suggest that you get it done at a salon where they know what they’re doing.

Koolaid. Seriously. Google it. Use one of the recipes that involves hot water - it will last for weeks.

I’ve used Overtone, it works best on lighter hair but does wash out eventually.

I second the vote for Arctic Fox for fun colors. It is also one step and doesn't smell like cat pee. I have darker blond hair and wanted to avoid bleaching first. I did the dark purple. It all washed out after awhile, except it became permanent in a couple of spots on the lower deeper layers of the back of my scalp, near the neckline. Not noticeable unless I wear a high ponytail. Showed me where I'm clearly not shampooing enough, LOL.

I just did Manic Panic on my 10 year old this morning.
It is dead easy.

Yeah, Splat color works. They have different permanence levels so check that before you use it.

Go to Ulta and ask for a color depositing shampoo. Teal is the hardest color to wash out in my experience-it took a lot of pool time and clarifying shampoo to come out-I'd recommend pink for blond or purple for darker hair.

My daughter, who has dark brown hair, buys SPLAT! at CVS and just paints it on. The color shows and survives shampoos and lasts for several weeks.
I took her once to a hair salon to have it professionally done and it took HOURS and cost over one hundred bucks.
It's sad that I know this, but parenthood is so educational, isn't it?

Don't do the bleach.

Just buy Overtone or another temporary / semi permanent dye that doesn't require any bleach. Don't bother with a salon if she wants temporary dye.

Overtone is one:
https://overtone.co/

They have colors that stand out on brown hair.
https://overtone.co/pages/for-brown-hair

Artic Fox and Punky Colors are other brands. You usually have to order them through the web or through some place like Ulta. Don't bother with the color in the drugstore. You either have to go through lots of steps or it doesn't take very well.

I just did this for my daughter. I bought hair bleach at CVS and it was easy to apply. We started with bleach because the color wouldn't have stood out on her natural color without bleaching first. I bought a temp dye from Amazon and it looked nice until she went swimming and the temp dye completely faded. So now it's just orangey color. I don't really like it but she's OK with it...

My DD has been begging to dye her hair/tips- the typical bold colors for tips. I have never used hair dye and she only wants it temporary. Her birthday is coming up and I am inclined to let her get it dyed (she is turning 12). Any recommendations for at-home products or salons in NW DC, Bethesda, Silver Spring that are reasonably priced? Total novice here so thanks in advance for the help.